I'm guessing from your comments you have never spun fire poi or staff. Do you know any other fire spinners? If you do, It could be worth your while meeting up with them whilst they spin. Learn to put out their toys for them with a fire blanket. Also learn how to put a person out if they catch fire. Practice what you would do if you were to catch fire. Get used to the sound of the flames. Practice how to treat all the kinds of burns you can get when playing with fire.

Having said that, accidents that end up with serious burns are very rare but you really need to know what to do if it happens.

Once you feel more in control over how to deal with problems you will feel less fear.

Always wear natural fibres to spin in, like leather, denim, cotton. Do NOT wear flammable clothing, hairspray, loose dangling clothing. Tie up and cover hair. Always have a safety with you when you hoop. Someone who knows what they are doing, that stays calm and knows how to put out flames and treat burns. Always have a fire blanket and extinguisher with you. The blanket to use on people and toys and the extinguisher to use if you set the ground/ bushes etc on fire. Have a burns first aid kit with you.

The tops of the flames are the hottest the base is coolest. Any exposed metal that's near flame will and does get very hot....

Erm..thats all I can think of right now.

Be informed, be sensible and perform within your comfort limits.

www.nafaa.org
(For lots of safety stuff)

It does sound a bit like pyrophobia. it strikes a lot of people. It's possible to overcome, but I gotta tell you it could be a very long and hard road.
First step is to become very comfortable with everything else: hooping, hooping with an unlit fire hoop, your fire suppression setup, etc. Wait until you've got as many of those ducks in a row before you try it again. Then start with a candle and meditate on all the worst-case scenarios that come to mind. Then work to build up your safety net to resolve them. It might mean that you won't be comfortable enough until you have two firemen, on opposite sides of you, with fire hoses at the ready (worst case scenario); maybe just having someone watch your back with a damp towel will be enough.

And yes there are other ways to get accustomed to fire without wicks wizzing at your face. It will be important for you to explore them. May I suggest starting with a tool with which you have more direct control of the flames? Torches, fans, swords and staves are all much more controlled and will allow you to learn just how far you can go before getting burned.

I'm also fairly new to fire hooping... the first time I lit up, it was terrifying! For the first 45 seconds or so, I could only stand there, holding the hoop, pretty much frozen. Once the flames had burned down a bit and were a little smaller, I finally got up the guts to waist hoop. After that, each time I did it was less and less scary. I've done it 6 or 7 times now, and I no longer hesitate before beginning to hoop, and I'm able to do some basic tricks with it. So I'd say its just a matter of facing it, over and over, until you're comfortable with it. And, I'm not sure if you actually started hooping, or were just able to hold the hoop, but for me, as soon as I actually started hooping, and realized that I wasn't getting burned, it got easier.
Good luck!! Its worth it, I promise!

I think one of the things that kept me from being afraid the first time I lit up (aside from all the suggestions already listed here, and having a competent fire safety right there with me and ready to act if something went wrong) was experimenting with contact fire play (briefly lighting yourself on fire and extinguishing yourself in a controlled way using rubbing alcohol and torches) ahead of time. If you know any fire folk in your area, inquire about taking a workshop. It's a fantastic lesson in trusting yourself, overcoming fear, and building a respectful relationship with the flame.
<3
Best of luck! It's worth it, I promise!

I am very new to playing with fire. I think I have fire hooped less than a dozen times. I was really surprised to feel less fear every time I picked up the hoop - it's been a different expereince literally every time with a new layer of comfort AND fear becoming exposed. I was shaking so hard after the first burn I had, but I don't have that reaction anymore. It helped to accidentally graze my arms and hands with the flames and see that all I was really sacrificing was arm hair, and really it didn't hurt like I thought it would...of course, these are just seconds of hitting the wrong part of the hoop or having it wobble and not a flame sitting on my skin for very long. I am sure it's possible to lose much more than arm hair, so I stick to moves I am comfrotable with when I light up because I do not want to be burned.

The stationary flames are more intimidating. I think it helps to keep moving, even just waist hooping, for a good minute to let some of the initial flame die down. Fire is really overwhelming! The other thing I did was practice hooping with the hoop unlit to get my body used to it - the size, the weight, the presence of wicks and spokes generally. I practiced only grabbing the hoop on the inside rim, away from the flames and spokes, and saw what moves I could do "smoothly" without causing one of the unlit wicks to hit me. Normally I can feel good about grabbing my practice hoops anywhere to make them do what I want, but the fire hoop required me to be much more cautious.

Keep practicing and getting to know your hoop! Comfort will come with time. :)

..fire hoop is a workout for me {not only cuz it is much heavier then regular hoop}..
the only thing which worries me is my hair flaming up. i usually spring them with water.
i only got burnt by the spikes, the steal, touching my arm. the fire doesn't seem that dangerous, cuz it moves fast.
there is a lot you can do to protect yourself. like gloves are great. and cotton clothes..and practicing a lot.~*!